Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Well-Traveled Muffins, A Family Recipe

Welcome to the Festival of Food Carnival. In celebration of Valentine's Day, we're sharing recipe ideas for "love foods" or foods to share with loved ones. Hosted by Diary of a First Child and Hybrid Rasta Mama, you're welcome tojoin us next time, or if you have a previously published recipe you'd like to share, add it to the linky below.

My husband's not keen on sweets (what's his problem, right?!) but he does have one weakness of mine: these scrumptious banana-carrot muffins. I made these for his birthday when we were dating and ever since, they have been our go-to special treat. When he lived in California and I lived in Tulsa, I sent him muffins. I even made up some baggies of the mix and took them with me when I went to visit him in Cape Town before we were married. In our brief stay in Angola, they were a little piece of familiarity when everything else was uncertain, and during our long-distance pregnancy, it became tradition for me to greet him at the airport with a freshly baked muffin.

The recipe has evolved over time and is slightly different from the original muffins I made for EJ, but what I love about it is the versatility. Use coconut oil or butter, whatever nuts you fancy, or leave them out! It would also be great with chocolate or carob chips, or even your favorite berries dusted in flour. Just make sure the bananas are really, really ripe--almost black. To ripen up a bunch, I put bananas in a paper bag and seal it (some newspaper would also do the job); they should be ready in a day or two.

***********Please take a moment to visit the blogs of our other Festival of Food participants. The links in this list will be live by the end of the day, as participants are all in different time zones.

Mari at Honey on the Bum shares Peek-a-boo, I love you!, a recipe she loves because her kids love it and love to help make it, and it can change as the seasons and holidays change with just the switch of a cookie cutter.

Sarah at Why Food Works shares WFW: Know your numbers - the IMPORTANT ones!. Love your health first - heart disease is a big problem in America, and eating a higher fiber diet can improve our cardiovascular function: try Sarah's Nutty Quinoa Pilaf to show your loved ones you care about their hearts! You can also find Sarah on Facebook.

Amy at Anktangle shares her recipe for simple and delicious coconut macaroons. They're sugar-free, gluten-free, and most importantly: free of any processed additives you'll find in many store-bought desserts. You can also find Amy on Facebook.

In a guest post at Hobo Mama, Crackerdog Sam shares his son's favorite soft pretzel recipe: half whole-wheat and a lovely upgrade to a mall treat.You can also find Hobo Mama on Facebook.

Need a wholesome treat for your honey's sweet tooth? Dionna at Code Name: Mama shares her recipe for amazing homemade heart-shaped nut butter cups. With natural nut butter and coconut oil chocolates, these are two great tastes that will certainly taste great - and healthy - together. You can also find Code Name Mama on Facebook.